Box 8G Urban expansion and polder landscapes (The Netherlands)

Polder landscapes near Utrecht, Holland

Source: D Wascher


The flat and open 'polder' landscapes in the lowlands of the western parts of The Netherlands, originally estuaries of the rivers Rhine, Meuse and Scheldt, are now used by intensive agriculture, urbanisation and recreation.

'Old polders' in low fenland areas are perhaps the most characteristic landscapes of Holland. The broad landscape with numerous ditches and regular subdivisions and ribbon development are 'typically Dutch'. More than four centuries ago wetlands and waterlogged peat soils were drained. The results are long stretched parcelling of land in peat-reclaimed areas. The more remote parts of the reclaimed parcels of land were often wetter and less intensively used. These old polders, with their peaty soils, are characterised by a backward agricultural structure and a rich natural potential. Along the coast, rivers and estuaries, and in the low-moorlands, there are the wetlands which are particularly important to nature. Wet grasslands provide habitats for wild species of plants and animals, such as meadow- and migratory birds. These areas are ideal for nature development and also for water recreation. Where the turf has been partially cut, the resulting lakes have become new nature areas. Through the relatively closed structure of willow and alder woodlands, these nature-like landscapes are attractive for small-scale water sports.

Urbanisation continues to put pressure on the traditional extensive landuse in the old polders (Map 8.2). The strong growth of population during this century (rising from 6 to 15 million between 1900 and 1990), combined with an increase in the use of available space per person, has resulted in a growth in urban areas from around 80 000 ha in 1900 to about 450 000 ha in 1980. Currently the annual rate of agricultural loss is 13 000 ha per year. This process affects mainly polder areas since the majority of the Dutch population lives in the western part of the country. If this trend continues, 16 per cent of The Netherlands (600 000 ha) will be covered by roads and urban areas by the year 2000 (CBS, 1992). Due to the increased mobility of people, there is also an increase in the zones of disturbance around the towns and villages of the area.

Together with the wet 'hay-lands', once common birds such as the corncrake (Crex crex), the Ballion's crake (Porzana pusilla) and white stork (Ciconia ciconia), or mammals such as the otter, have disappeared from many polder areas (de Jong and Wiggers, 1982). Despite massive government initiatives to protect wetlands, the habitats of meadow- and migratory birds are declining (Bink et al, 1994; RIVM, 1992).


Map 8.2 - The urbanisation of the Amsterdam region between 1930 and 1975

Source: de Jong and Wiggers, 1982

Note: Urban disturbancy zone arbitarily set at 1.5 km in 1930 and 4 km in 1995 to reflect the increased mobility of people